By Wendy Condrat Trees that communicate, cities and world capitals inundated by rising seas, words of a more hopeful future for our planet: these are some subjects in the newest genres that deal with the looming existential threat of climate change.
As scientists, world organizations, and
activists sound the alarm against inaction, a new crop of writers have sought
to depict a future world if humans don’t do something.
In Pitchaya Sudbenthad’s “Bangkok Wakes to Ruin,” where Thailand’s capital city lies in ruins after it is submerged under water, the author relates: “As the climate crisis becomes more apparently urgent, related narratives become even more necessary as a mirror that both reflects and warns.”
Here are other current recommended fictional reads
which illustrate our current and future world crisis.
“Cloud Atlas” by David Mitchell; “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler; “Gold Fame Citrus” by Claire Vaye Watkins”; and “The Overstory “ by Richard Powers.
In non-fiction, “books about social and ecological change too often leave out a vital component: how do we change ourselves so that we are fully strong enough to fully contribute to this great shift? Naomi Klein states that “Active Hope” fills this gap beautifully, guiding readers on a journey of gratitude, grief, interconnection and, ultimately, transformation.
Joanna Macy, esteemed ecophilosopher, and author of inspirational reads such as “The Work That Reconnects “ and “Active Hope – How to Face This Mess We’re in without Going Crazy”, offers a guide and a process to equip us to “face this mess … in The Great Turning to a life-sustaining society.
Joanna Macy offers readers hope in a world that many will find redemptive and filled with promise and could serve our congregation and all readers as a tool for ongoing discussions towards healing.
By John Hilke This month’s Notes for Earth visits an ongoing controversy over purchase of carbon offsets (or greenhouse gas emissions more generally). Carbon offsets involve donating funds that target reductions in carbon emissions. Typically, carbon offsets involve preservation or expansion of carbon absorption areas (rain forests, for example) or investments in projects that will lead to reduction in carbon emissions from electricity generation, agricultural, or manufacturing processes.
There are two major controversies about carbon offsets. The first controversy concerns the net benefits of different types of carbon offset investments. Generally, it is best to support carbon offset programs that have been certified by a third-party certification organization. Historically, many carbon offset programs were ineffective, misleading, or fraudulent.
The second controversy concerns the ethical implications of carbon offsets. Some have compared carbon offsets to indulgences — simply an excuse to keep on sinning — but with less guilt. An alternative to carbon offsets is to live a carbon-neutral (zero net carbon emissions) lifestyle. Given existing technology, costs, and work or family obligations, few people outside of the tropics have been able or willing to live a life with zero net carbon emissions. For some, the best practical and ethical alternative appears to be taking the steps you can to reduce your carbon footprint and then voluntarily tax yourself to offset the remainder of your carbon emissions (and perhaps some of those of the wider community).
For many people, air
travel may be the largest component of your carbon emissions in some
years. Unlike many sources of carbon
emissions, suppliers of airline services have become quite active in offering
trip-specific carbon offset programs and some airlines offer access to their
carbon offset programs more generally.
If this is your situation, you might want to consider the airline carbon
offset programs.
I have found the linked
review of airline carbon offset programs to be helpful. Perhaps you will find it informative as
well. https://thepointsguy.com/guide/everything-you-need-to-know-carbon-offsetting-flights/. My
personal reaction is that carbon offsets are surprisingly affordable — which,
naturally raises troubling questions about why society has not made more of
these investments. For a more general
assessment of your carbon footprint, you can check out several different
calculators by searching on your browser for “carbon footprint calculators.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
still offers a carbon footprint calculator at https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/.
John Hilke for WUUC’s
Advocates for Social Justice Climate Justice Ministry, Wendy Condrat, Chair.
By Terry Santmann Board Secretary At the Jan. 8 meeting, DD Hilke attended to collect suggestions from the Board regarding nominations for the three slots opening on the board in the next year as well as for slots open on the nominating committee itself and the endowment committee.
The Board reviewed the previously stated goals for the year (from August 2019 minutes) and tweaked goals for the coming months. The Board plans deep dives on the following topics in the coming year:
membership activities,
policy development,
community conversation,
intergenerational services,
small group development and support,
governance suggestions regarding decision-making in declared emergencies,
disruptive behavior policy in relationship with developing a right relations committee, and
community
gradual review of each area of ministry in the Renewal of Fellowship process, in sequence, between now and May
Enough individuals have signed up to complete an application for a Chalice Lighters grant. Donors have made money available to purchase the necessary internet upgrade. John will contact Comcast to proceed immediately. WUUC will apply for a grant from Chalice Lighters for further technology and accessibility upgrades.
The board will develop a formal process for reviewing the insurance coverage with the expectation that a board member, representatives from the finance and BAG committees, and the minister will participate in the review. John, Rev. Diana, Jim, and Terry will form a task force to update the Governance Manual Part I Policies.
At the Jan. 22 meeting, the Board reviewed WUUC projected expenses for FY 2020-21 and authorized presentation of the same to the congregation at the upcoming Town Hall meeting.
The Board approved the renegotiation of WUUC’s mortgage to a 15-year maturity with a 15-year amortization, rate to be fixed at 4.7% for 15 years and closing costs to be rolled into the new loan amount.
Rev. Diana is authorized to proceed with hiring a choir director.
The Board is working on the development of a policy for WUUC Governance in Declared Emergencies.
By Grace Simons Here we are in February – shortest month of the year! We pack a lot into this month, and that includes getting ready for the March delivery of food items for kids in two Bothell schools. As usual, we need a range of items – milk, juice, snacks, peanut butter, crackers, one-dish meals, canned meat or fish, granola bars, fruit and cereal. All of them are meant to supplement weekend needs when school meals aren’t available. Please bring your contributions to the church and leave them in the baskets across from the nursery. You can also check the baskets to see what kinds of things are being donated or what is currently needed.
“Totes” is
one of our community service projects and makes a difference for 15 students,
mostly elementary age. We know that
empty stomachs make learning difficult, and we help to prevent that. Many, many
thanks to all who have donated items for this program! Let’s keep it up!
Questions?
Contact John Hartman or Grace Simons, “Totes” coordinators.
Worship is the heart of WUUC. The goal of the worship team is to help create meaningful worship experiences that support our lives for the rest of the week. To that end, we’ve been building a strong team by planning for transitions and welcoming new members.
We are full of gratitude for all the work that
Chick Sweeney has done for the worship team. He is a dedicated Worship
Associate who coordinated and led many important services in the history of
WUUC. Chick will be moving to Indiana soon. We will miss his wisdom,
experience, and support. Chick always seems to know just the right thing to
say, and the right reading or poem for a worship service theme. In the last
year, Chick served the worship team as a co/lead and Lead Worship Associate.
We are pleased to announce that Dan Ballard
will now be serving as the Lead Worship Associate and worship team co-lead. Dan
has been with the worship team for many years and is a co-lead of Earth-based
worship at WUUC. He also sings in the choir, serves as an usher, works the
sound board during services, and generously contributes to our congregation in
many other ways.
We are also welcoming Winny Schnitzler and Ava
Priest as new Worship Associates. The process to become a Worship Associate
starts with a written expression of interest followed by a conversation with
worship team leaders. Since last fall Winny and Ava have been learning about
worship and transitioning into fully independent associates.
Winny Schnitzler has attended WUUC for four
years. She serves as a member of the Building and Grounds Committee, and can
often be found wherever help is needed at church. Winny was drawn to WUUC by
“the warmth that envelopes this congregation in the sanctuary.” Her goal is,
“to further the inclusivity of our congregation by challenging everyone’s
concept of who WE are.”
Ava Priest has been associated with WUUC for
16 years and is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. They were interested in
the worship team because it provided opportunities for celebrating and sharing
the warmth and love of this congregation. As a Worship Associate, Ava
looks forward to learning new things and offering their strengths to the
community.
Please support Ava and Winny in their new
roles.
There are many opportunities for WUUC friends
and members to be involved in worship. Next summer we will have lay-led
services that can benefit from large and small contributions from the
congregation like readings, poems, sermons, or music. We are also planning to
train additional Worship Associates in the next few months. Please talk with
Donna Johnson or Dan Ballard if you would like to serve WUUC by helping to plan
and conduct our worship services.
This is the time of year when we enter our annual budget drive, which raises all the funds needed to operate WUUC. Our theme is Turning to the Future. As we embark on our next journey with a new minister in the coming year, it’s important to build a solid financial footing to launch our ship forward. Meet this year’s drive co-chairs, who were both drawn to WUUC by the chance to sing in the choir.
Mark Apland
When I was born, I was
very close to my mother. I am culturally Lutheran and grew up in a community, which
is what drew me to Sharingwood to raise my children. Later, I went through a
divorce, and shortly afterwards my co-parent passed from cancer, leaving me a
single father. A few years later as my daughters were getting older, Stephana
Ditzler said it was time for me to get back to singing in a choir. I had
lost faith in faith, so was not inclined to consider a “church”, but
she talked me into it, and so here I am. The UU teachings fit well
for me.
Phil Archibald
I’m a newcomer to UU
and was initially attracted to WUUC as an opportunity to sing in a choir which
I had always wanted to try, but I have never belonged to a church. I’m
sixty years old and I enjoy music and disc golf. My number one goal in life is
to help make the world better place for everyone.
